six

Bold text is when they are signing or communicating underwater.

Training had halted do to the return of the tulkun. As soon as they were visible on the horizon, the metkayina people began gathering by the shore, cheering.

Stelle' had been distracted lately. Paying more attention to her duties to her people and her future, she hadn't had time to do what she liked. Her collection of trinkets and crystals had stopped growing.

She hadn't talked to Neteyam in days, barely seeing him during meals as she sat with her friends and he sat with his family. They would occasionally exchange looks. Maybe a smile or two but that was it. It hurt. She'd grown fond of him being around her.

So the tulkun arriving was a miracle from eywa. It was perfect timing to raise her spirit and provide her with the happiness she had been lacking lately.

Stelle' rushed to the shore where everyone was gathering, pushing herself politely though the crowd to get a better view.

Tuk pulled her arm from behind. "Stelle'!", she called for her.

Stelle' turned to look down at tuk with a smile. "Hey tuk. How are you?"

"What is happening?", she questioned

"The tulkun, our soul sisters and brothers have returned. It is a time of happiness and exchange. Truly one of my favorite times of the season." Stelle' looked out into the shore with a smile watching as the beautiful and large creatures returned in swarms.

Tuk looked out into the sea with her. "Do you have a spirit sister?"

"I do." Stelle' smiled recalling Mira, her spirit sister. The one creature she had the strongest connection with. They understood each other so well they were practically the same. Bound together for eternity. "She's lovely."

"Can I meet her?"

"Of course!" Stelle' got on her toes to get a better look past the heads. "Here they come." She held onto tuks hand and dragged her to the water where she called for her Ilu.

She helped tuk get on and rode to find Mira. The air blew against her face. She inhaled the salty smell of the sea she loved. She'd missed feeling the water on her feet and arms. She missed it all.

Stelle' could recognize Mira anywhere. She approached her sister with a huge grin. hello my friend, she signed.

"Is this her?", Tuk spoke from behind her.

"Yes."

Stelle' dove into the water, reaching out with her hand to feel her soul sister's firm exterior, smooth and textured. I've missed you

I have missed you too my stelle' , said Mira. What has happened while I've been gone?

Stelle' looked down. So many things , she signed

What is wrong? Mira knew. Her ease in reading stelle was why they got along so well.

Stelle' hesitated in talking about Neteyam as tuk lingered nearby, but realized she wouldn't understand. The little girl just looked at Mira in admiration, not interested in knowing what she said.

Stelle' gave in, looking into Mira's eye. I met a boy.

a boy? Tell me about him.

He is so kind. And very handsome. But I am afraid our relationship will be looked down upon by my people. , she signed. Talking about it made it so much more real.

You must follow your heart my dear, stelle'. Let it tell you what you truly want and listen to it, not to other people. Then you will find true happiness and meaning.

Stelle's considered Mira's words. It was so easy to follow her heart and do as she wished, but when it came to her sometimes she had to follow her head instead, afraid that her heart wouldn't get her anywhere as a leader. But my father has plans for my future. I don't want to get in the way of them.

being with the person you wish does not have to mean getting in the way of your fathers plans. Love makes you strong. It gives you something to fight for. Mira was truly wise. It was evident in everything she said.

Stelle' smiled. Okay, sister. I will take your advice. Thank you. She placed a hand on her heart.

They said their goodbyes and stelle' watched as the tulkun rode off into the distance. Mira had given her a lot to think about. Stelle' got onto her Ilu.

Tuk got on behind her. "so what did you guys talk about?"

"Not much. Just friends and experiences."

"Oh ok! I hope I can learn to sign like you so I can also communicate with the tulkun."

Stelle' smiled at her volition to learn. "You will learn with time, Tuk. And before you know it, you will be communicating with everyone here."

Soon they had made it back to the shore. Tuk got off with a smile. "Thank you for taking me with you, stelle'!"

"Of course. I'm glad you had fun."

Tuk ran off to where kirri was. Kirri waved at her from afar with a smile. Stelle' waved back.

Announg came from behind. "Stelle."

"What is it, ung?", they walked back to the huts, stelle' having to get to the kitchens to help with the cooking. Her mother had said that doing service in the community would help the people warm up to her so it would be easier to place their trust in her when she became leader. It made sense.

"I've made a mistake."

This caught stelle's attention. She stopped in her tracks, turning to face him. She knew that look on his face all too well. "What have you done?"

"I- Well rotxo and I well we...we uh", he stuttered.

"Say it, Announg! What is it?!"

"We took Lo'ak outside of the reef.", he spat out rapidly.

"What?!" Stelle' rushed back to alert her Ilu and go to search for him but turned back around within seconds. "We must tell Neteyam! Where is he?!"

"I don't know." Announg already started regretting his actions. He knew it was wrong of him.

"Well don't just stand there, help me find him! This is all your fault in the first place! Get moving!" Stelle' ran to the sully's hut, the first place she thought to look. She couldn't believe another of the sully's lives had been put to risk by them. Being here had turned more dangerous than safe for them.

She stopped outside of the hut. "Neteyam!" He wasn't inside. "Shit!" She began to panic. She never had dealt well under pressure, something she would have to fix if she were to become a descent leader when the time came. "Shit shit shit! I can't believe this!" She dug her face in her hands, thinking of what to do. Maybe she should just go out and look for him on her own.

"Stelle'?"

She turned at the familiar sound of Neteyam's voice. "Neteyam!" She had never been so glad to see him. "Lo'ak is in danger!"

His features immediately changed to show his concern. "What? What happened?"

"My stupid brother and his friend took Lo'ak outside of the reef. It's dangerous, especially for someone who is new to the ocean and it's wildlife. We need to find him!"

Neteyam didn't need to here any more to start running towards the shore. Stelle' ran with him. They met kirri and Tuk on the way and they followed them into the ocean against their orders.

Just as they were about to depart, tuk caught sight of something blue in the distance. "Wait! That's him! That's Lo'ak!" He had been washed up against a rock and he clung onto it weakly.

They all rushed off the Ilu's and ran to where he lay.

"Lo'ak!" Neteyam ran to his brother, kneeling by his side. "Lo'ak. Are you ok?"

Lo'ak reached out to place a firm hand on his brother's shoulder. "I'm fine bro."

Stelle' finally felt like she could breathe. Keeping a distance as she watched the two brothers exchange a smile. Once the family had been reunited, she decided she could return to her duties. She still had to do her acts of service and that meant helping out in the kitchen and around the village with whatever she could. It was tiring but necessary.

As she began to walk off Neteyam followed behind her. "Stelle'" they hadnt talked properly in what felt like forever. He couldn't help but want to interact with her again. He missed her presence.

Stelle' turned to meet him. "Neteyam. Don't worry I will scold my brother and make sure my father knows so he can pay for his idiotic behavior and-"

"That is not why I called for you."

"Oh. What then?"

"I just wanted to say thank you."

"You are welcome. It is only fair I help undo the trouble my brother causes. It a responsibility of mine among many others." Those words carried so much weight.

Neteyam felt it. "Why have you been ignoring me?"

Stelle' wasn't sure how he could look her in the eyes as he said that. She definitely could not look at his. "I haven't been ignoring you. I've just been busy."

It was quiet for a second. A strange energy lingered in the air between them. It was suffocating. There were unspoken words between them. Things that needed to be said.

Stelle' knew anything more could harm her future and relationship with her family, but being friends was still an option. She reached out and held his hand. "You are a good friend, Neteyam. And a good brother. I cherish every second with you, never wanting it to end. You mean a lot to me even though we've known each other for a short time. I don't want that to go away."

Neteyam smiled sadly if that was even possible. One word replaying in his head. Friend.

Stelle' could lie to herself all she wanted, but for as long as she stood by Neteyam she would never like him as just a friend. But she could try.

Neteyam wouldn't have it that way. So he would have to open her eyes. His mission was to get her to see they could not just be friends. That there was something there. Unexplainable, but beautiful. And he would help her see it if it was the last thing he did.

Long chapter, hope you guys enjoyed. Please vote if you did so I know you liked it!!! More coming!!